Even The Villages' Marketing Department Can't Get Excited About The Masters' Ancient Viewing Demo
/John Ourand thought a sex scandal could lower the age of golf’s TV audience and was shocked to find out that it didn't happen.
Read MoreWhen you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
"There were rave reviews for the changes made to the famous West Course by the Ernie Els design team ahead of the BMW PGA Championship 2010"
/A good time was apparently had by all at Wentworth when European TV's finest showed up to play the Ernie Els redesigned West Course.
Love the write up:
A team of broadcasters from the BBC and Sky Sports enjoyed their first sight of the modernised West Course at Wentworth Club when they faced a line-up from BMW, The European Tour and the host club.Former Ryder Cup Captain, Sam Torrance, was joined by fellow BBC commentators Alan Hansen, Tim Henman and Sir Matthew Pinsent alongside Di Stewart, Robert Lee and Steve Beddow from Sky Sports as the team of broadcasters registered a hefty 7-2 victory.
Paul Davies of the BBC and Sky Sports’ Jason Wesley jointly accepted the plaudits from George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour after defending their trophy.
There were rave reviews for the changes made to the famous West Course by the Ernie Els design team ahead of the BMW PGA Championship 2010, with the visually stunning eighth and 18th attracting special attention.
Even better, look how well dressed they get for a shindig. Take note, writers.
Quibbles, Bits And Other Masters Media Notes
/My review of the telecasts, Golf Channel and online coverage is now posted at GolfDigest.com.
One thing not covered: the 3D telecast, which Stephanie Wei gives a rave review:
Nantz Continues Tiger Criticism: "If I would have said what he said on the air, I would be fired"
/Milton Kent at Fanhouse writes about Jim Nantz continuing his criticism of Tiger's foul language
Read MoreMasters Ratings Up...
/But not the record, or even close.
Read More"But the club has budged a bit."
/Budged...this is a minor miracle reported by Richard Sandomir:
Read More"Arnold Palmer wrestled with Cherry Hills for three rounds and then strangled it"
/
Bill Fields files a must read feature on the late great Bob Drum for Golf World's Backspin issue. Naturally, I loved this story of a lede gone lost, all in the name of front page conformity:
Motivated to prove Drum wrong, Palmer drove the 346-yard par-4 first hole that had flummoxed him for three rounds and two-putted for an easy birdie. He birdied six of the first seven holes and shot 65 to emerge the winner.
"Drum came up with a real snappy lead, something like 'Arnold Palmer wrestled with Cherry Hills for three rounds and then strangled it,' " remembers Giffin, forced to tinker with the beginning of Drum's story after an editor decided it needed a few more facts if it was going to run on the paper's front page. Moreover, on the biggest story Drum would ever write about Palmer, his byline was inadvertently left off.
DENVER, June 18 --Arnold Palmer, who had wrestled with the Cherry Hills golf course for three rounds, caught it in a stranglehold on the final 18 today and pulled off one of the most unbelievable victories in National Open history.
Drum soon made an important point.
The sensational victory moved him over the second hurdle in his bid for present-day golf's Grand Slam.
There's also a nice web exclusive video worth watching...
Sources: Tag Heuer Not Yet Developing Dual Watch/Buddhist Bracelet
/I'm sure Leno, Letterman and everyone else will have fun with the cutaway shot of Tiger's new Buddhist bracelet (he swears it will never come off). Naturally, the cynic in me smells a possible first Golf Digest instruction tip: "How I Gained 10 mph of Clubhead Speed With a Rubber Band-Like Thing On My Wrist."
Read MoreQ: "How did you lose control of the car?" A: "That's between Elin and myself."
/My first reaction to the interviews is that Tiger was well prepared, but the above exchange with Tom Rinaldi was the the lone blunder.
Your thoughts on the interviews? Oh and would love to hear what you thought of the Golf Channel post game coverage as well. I have my thoughts, but I first have to go scrub this pesky sap off my hands.
More On Masters 3D...
/...from a Sony release:
Sony Electronics will support the effort not only as a sponsor of the 3D telecast, but also as an industry expert, along with supplying the latest advances in professional camera equipment and its 3D-capable televisions. Comcast will join in the production by providing the distribution channels necessary to deliver the content free to households throughout the United States. Additionally, Comcast and IBM, the Tournament’s technology partner, will combine efforts to offer the 3D feed via www.masters.com.
Two hours of live afternoon 3D coverage will be available each day beginning during Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest on April 7 and continuing throughout the four Tournament rounds, Thursday, April 8 – Sunday, April 11.
Comcast, 3D And Men In Green Wearing Big Glasses
/I'll be excited about the Masters in 3D when I actually know someone who owns a 3D television. In the meantime, I would relish and happily post the first image anyone can snap of an old white guy in his green jacket sporting oversized Buddy Holly 3D shades.
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